Gauge for sewing machines



y 1939- E. c. ZA BLOCKI 2,159,538 GAUGE FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed Nov.25, 1956 5 Sheets- Sheet 1 will, r ,I

Eager]: Cf Zai/oc/k'. 3 M w A TTORN Y5.

May 23, 1939. E. c. ZA'BLOCKI GAUGE FOR snwmemcumss Filed Nov. 23, 19363 She ets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR C ZaZZac/h'. Me,

A TTORNE May 23, 1939. E. c. ZABLOCKI GAUGE FOR snwme MACHINES I5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 23, 1936 U) INVENTOR Z'Zggerze C. ZaZ/ociz'.

' ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 23, 1939 1 GAUGE FOR SEWING MACHINES EugeneCharlesZablocki, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Briggs Manufacturing Company,Detroit,

Mich a, corporation of Michigan Application November 23, 1936, SerialNo. 112,210

8 Claims.

This invention relates to gauges for use in connection with sewingmachines of the single head or multiple head types, and particularly foruse in guiding automobile interior trim panels or the like through themachine'during the operation of stitching together the materials of thepanel.

I Heretofore it has been necessary to guide the trim panel by hand andinasmuch as it is desirable to 1 provide several rows of stitcheslocated in predetermined spaced relation, it has required the servicesof skilled operators to guide the panel through the sewing machine so asto produce straight, as well as parallel, rows of stitching.

The trim panel or panels lend ornamentation to V the interior of avehicle body, and for this reason it is important that the stitchingextend in straight rows and that the rows be equidistantly spaced orparallel since any variation or irregularity in an individual row ofstitching or any unevenness in the spacing apart of the rows is easilydiscernible. It will be obvious that such proper application of the rowsof stitching is difficult and it was often necessary, with the old handmethod of feeding and guiding the panel, to rip out entire rows ofirregular stitching and to re-stitch the panel.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide means foraccurately guiding a trim panel through a sewing machine in apredetermined straight line path so that the stitching applied to thepanel will bein a straight line and so that the several rows ofstitching will. be properly and equidistantly spaced one from the other.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved means whereby arow or rows of stitching may be applied to a panel in predeterminedpositions, and further to provide guide means which is easily andquickly adjustable by the operator so as to permit the application ofthe row or rows of stitching at different predetermined locations onpanels of varying sizes and shapes.

7 Another object of my invention is to provide indexing means for thepanel guide means, thus permitting accurate adjustment of the panel withrelation to the stitching .head or heads of thesewing machine.

A further object of my invention is to provide adjustable guide meansfor sewing machines having a battery of stitching heads together withadjusting means for the guide or guides permitting the accurateadjustment thereof by the operator without the necessity of handling the55 guide means itself.

Another object of my invention is to provide adjustable guide means ofthe foregoing char acter capable of permitting accurate adjustmentsatwill to accommodate different panels of varying sizes and shapes sothat the operator, by

movirig the indexing mechanism to a new position, effects the relocatingof the guide means within a relatively wide range to accommodate thedifferent panels to be stitched.

Another object of the invention is to provide guide means which iscapable of adjustment by a remote control device located within easyreach of the machine operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved guide adjustingmeans for use on various sizes of sewing machines wherein one or aplurality of panels are being fed through the machine and wherein one ormore guide members are employed.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved adjusting meansofthe foregoing character having indexing mechanism provided with means,such for example as symbols, for identifying or indicating the variouspositions of adjustment.

The above and other objects of the invention will appear from thefollowing descriptionand appended claims when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a iragmentary perspective view showing one of the sewing headsof a battery type sewing machine embodying one form of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view, on an enlarged scale, showing oneof the adjusting and indexing devices of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along theline 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along theline 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along theline 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a sewing machine of the single head typeand illustrating the application of two somewhat modified forms of gaugeor guide devices embodying the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyalong the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is an irregular vertical section taken substantially along theline 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale,

taken substantially along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially along the line |BI0 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical section, on an enlarged scale, takensubstantially along the line |IIl of Fig. 9. v

Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical section, on n en larged scale, takensubstantially along I2 l2 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12'but taken along the line |3--|3 ofFig. 6; and

Fig. 14 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyalong the line 1-44 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various'ways. Alsoit is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the'purpose of description and not of limitation, and itis not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond therequirements of the prior art.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to *5 inclusive of the drawings,there is shown one form of guide means and indexing mechanism thereforembodying the present invention. This particular form of the inventionis adapted for use in connection with sewing machines of the multiplehead type, one unit thereof being shown as a whole at A-in Fig. 1. Themachine, of which only a portion is shown in the drawings, consists of aflat horizontal bed l5 along which the material or work B, such forexample as an interior trim panel for a vehicle body, is moved either byhand or by suitable conveyor chains (not shown) to be stitched by thesewing machine head mechanism A. The head or unit A including needlecarrying and actuating mechanism for applying the threads C to the trimpanel B, is preferably carried by a bridge 3 extending transverselyabove the bed of the machine. The head includes a pair of needles I!mounted upon a needle bar [8 which is vertically slidable in the needleguide bar H! which extends up to the mechanism for actuating it. Theneedles I! extend into the material or panel B through slots formed inthe presser foot 20 and as the panel B is moved relative to the presserfoot, two parallel rows of stitching D are applied to the material. Ihave described merely a portion of the sewing machine mechanism for thereason that the sewing machine per se forms no part of the presentinvention, the same being more fully described in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 70,345, filed March 23, 1936.

In Fig. 1 it will be seen that an adjustable guide bar or strip 2|,preferably formed of hard wood andhaving a reenforcing metal angle strip22, is mounted upon the top of the bed l5 and extends lengthwise thereofadjacent but slightly spaced from the left hand edge of the sewingmachine unit A, see Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the verticalflange of the reenforcing angle 22 engages the outer face of the bar 2!and screws 22a are provided to secure the reenforcing angle in place.This guide strip 2| is adapted to be adjusted into various positionsrelative to the the line 'and calculations so as to set the guide at theproper location for the particular work piece upon which the machine isoperating. For example, if the machine has been operating upon a seriesof trim panels for the front door of an automobile body and it isdesirable to then run through the machine a series of panels for therear door or for a rear quarter portion of the body; it is necessary tochange the adjustment and the position of the guide bar 2| which has tobe correspondingly adjusted at both of its ends. It is an extremelydiiiicult operation to effect such adjustment in accordancewith previouspractice and it will be understood that any variation or mistake in theadjustment of the guide member will cause the machine to produceimperfect work.

In Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive I have shown one form of indexing mechanism ordevice for effecting a quick, easy and accurate adjustment of either oneor both ends of the guide bar 21. In the instant form of the presentinvention, as shown, the bed I5 is provided with a rectangular pocket orrecess 23 in which is set a metal plate 24 held in place by screws 25upon which is mounted a second metal plate 26 of smaller size than theplate 24 and which serves as a spacer and supporting base for a thirdmetal plate 21, the plate 21, as shown, being somewhat thicker than theplates 24 and 25. These three plates together provide a platen and aresecured together in any suitable manner as by means of screws havingcountersunk heads or by welding or soldering, as desired. As best seenin Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the plate 27, in addition to being somewhat thickerthan the plates 24 and 26, is wider than the plate 24 and thus itslongitudinal side edges overlap the corresponding edges of the plate 25,these overhanging portions providing flanges 21a which are spaced fromthe base plate 25 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. As seen inFigs. 3 and 4 the plates 24, 26 and 2'! are provided with verticallyalined holes or apertures 28. The apertures are preferably staggered andbeside each on the top of plate 2'! is an identifying symbol, such asthe letters a, b, c and d, see Fig. 2. If desired, a single plate orplaten having a thickness which corresponds to the combined thickness ofthe plates 24, 26 and 21 may be employed.

In Fig. 2, the base plate 24 is provided with a pair of slots 240.through which the attaching screws 25 pass. Since the plates 24, 26 and2'! are all secured together as a unit, said unit can be movedlengthwise in the recess or depression 23 toward and away from the innerend wall of the depression and the guide bar 2! by loosening the screws25 and sliding the base plate along. Thus the base unit or platen of theindexing mechanism provides a wide range of adjustment so that thesewing machine may be employed to perform work on trim panels having awide range of sizes.

The indexing mechanism includes also an adjusting member or block 38formed preferably of some sort of malleable metal capable of beingreadily drilled to produce spaced holes or apertures 3| to receive andsupport a removable loeating pin 32. The vertical holes 3|, as seen inFig.2, extend in a row transversely of the block and each is identifiedby a different symbol, such as the letters a, b, c and dwhich correspondto similar letters which mark the holes 28 in the plate 21. The block30, as shown, has along its side edges flanged metal plates or strips 33provided at their under sides with inturned flanges 34 which underlieand are spaced from the bottom of the block 30, see Figs. 4 and 5; Theplates 33 are held in place upon the sides of the block preferably 'byscrews 35 having countersunk heads.

I The block 30 is applied to the top plate member 21 of the base unit byinserting the flanges 34 under the side edges or flanges 21a and slidingthe block over the base piece 21. The parts are made to have a slidingfit so that the block 30 can be moved longitudinally over the basemembers or unit but cannot be'shifted laterally relative there-'to,.thisfor the reason that .the holes 3| in the block 30 must be alinedwith certain of the holes 26 formed in the plates 24, 26 and 21 in orderthat the removable locating pin 32 can be shifted from one set ofvertically alined holes to any other set of similarly alined holes inthe several members. As shown, see particularly Figs. 2 and 3, the block33 is adapted to move with the guide bar'and is attached directly to theguide bar 2| by means of a metal angle piece 31, the horizontal flangeof which is secured to the top face of "entwork pieces.

the block 30by screws 38, the vertical flange in each block and slidingthe blocks 30 over the plates 21. As shown in Fig. 1, one of theseindexing devices is .provided for each end of the guide bar 2|, thedevices being located a short distanceinwardly from the ends of the bar.Each of these indexing devices is identical so that by moving theindexing pins 32 to like positions in the two blocks 30, likeadjustments of both ends of the guide bar are effected. The holes 28 and2| formed in the plates 24, 26 and 21 and the slidable block 30,respectively, are located at predetermined positions, each with a viewto adapting the guide bar for use in guiding the edge of trim panels 'ofdifferent sizes and also different shapes. By predetermining thepositions of the holes and by numbering or lettering the top of theblock 30 adjacent the holes 3|, as by'using the letters a, b, c and d,and correspondingly lettering the holes 28in theplate 21, an unskilledoperator can shift the block. 30 and relocate the index pin 32 in anychosen and like lettered holes,'t:such as in holes b. b, so as to adjustthe guide bar tosult differ- 7 By virtue of the indexing mechanism withits predetermined and symbolized ad'- justment effecting positions, itisunnecessary to" have to take any measurements whatsoever to effect theproper adjustment. If the base'blocks I or plates 24, 25 and 21 do nothave a sufllcieni number of adjustment holes for a given variation inworkpieces, it is merely necessary to drill additional'holes in theplates and,ifnecessary,-to

add other holes to the slidable block 30 so that a wider range ofadjustments can be effected: for

use in connection with additional work pieces of varying dimensions.Such additional holes would, if desired, be identified in the samemanner as the holes 28 and 3|. A number of surplus base plate units maybe kept in stock so'that in the event a wider range of adjustment of theguide bar 2| is desirable, a reserve indexing base plate unit or a pairof such units can be substituted for those on the machine bed. While thevarious base plate units contain different arrangements of symbolizedholes to receive the indexing pin, they are all of the same proportionsso that they may be interchanged at will.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive there is shown asomewhat modified form of indexing mechanism embodying the presentinvention. In this form the indexing mechanism also serves as means forguiding the work pieces, such astrim panels, through the sewing machineand is particularly adapted for use with a single unit sewing machine ofthe bracket-arm type wherein the work pieces are moved by hand over thebed of the machine and wherein the space under the machine is limited.Referring especially to Fig. 6 there is shown asa whole at E a sewingmachine of the so-called bracket-arm type in which the machine ismounted upon a metal base 40 supported upon a table or bed 4| providedwith upright legs 42.

The combined indexing and work guiding mechanism or device of thepresent embodiment of the invention is mounted upon the metal base 40beneath the horizontal arm of the machine E and comprises preferably arectangular metal base plate 43 provided adjacent its left hand cornerswith slots 44 through which machine screws 45 are passed to secure theplate to the base 40 and to permit its adjustment longitudinally overthe base. Mounted substantially centrally of the plate 43 is arelatively long and narrow metal plate or strip 46 upon which is mounteda second metal plate 41 preferably of the same length as the plate 46but of slightly greater width so that its longitudinal edges 41a projectbeyond the longitudinal edges of the plate 46 to provide, in effect,flanges which are spaced from the bottom plate 43 (see Fig. 8) forapurpose to be described. The plates 46 and 41 are provided atpredetermined spaced points with a plurality of vertically alined holesor openings 48. The plates 43, 46 and 41 are preferably secured togetherin flatwise relation by welding or soldering, or by machine screws orstuds so as to provide a single unit in which the several plates arefixed against movement relative to one another. Mounted to slide uponthe indexing plate 41 is a rectangular work piece guide block 49 havingattached to its opposite lateral side walls,'metal plates 50, eachprovided with an inturned horizontal flange 5|. The plates, as shown,are held to the side walls of theblock 49 by means of screws 52. Asshown, when the block 49 isassembled with the top plate 41-the flanges5| engage beneath the flanges 41a and provide guides for maintaining theblock against lateral shifting but permitting its longitudinal orapproximately straight line movement or adjustment over the indexingplate 41, so that the holes or openings 53 formed in said block can beselectively alined vertically with the holes 48 formed in the plates 46and 41. A removable indexing or locating pin 54 is provided forinsertion in any one set of the series of vertically alined holes sothat the movable block 49 can be maintained in any of its predeterminedadjusted positions.

The combined indexing and guiding device of Figs. 6 and 8 inclusive isadapted for use in connection with trim panels or other work pieces ofrelatively small size, as well as to guide one edge of a panel of largesize beneath the sewing machine head while stitches are being applied toone portion of said large panel. This device is used either prior to orafter the said large panel has been provided. with a row or rows ofstitching at different locations on the panel, it having been previouslyguided at its opposite edge by means of a remote control guiding andindexing device such as that described hereinafter and shown in Figs. 6and 9 to 14 inclusive. Where the trim panels are of extra large size andconsequently difficult for the operator to handle it is extremelyhelpful to be able to guide opposite edges of the panel at differenttimes, dependent upon'the position at which the stitching is to beapplied. As in the case of the form shown in Figs. 1 to inclusive, theentire indexing mechanism may be adjusted, as a unit, by loosening thescrews 45 and shifting the unit along the base 40 and the minuteadjustments for panels of different sizes and shapes is effected bywithdrawing the index pin 54 and shifting it into one of the other holes53 in the sliding block which is alined with another of the holes 48 inthe indexing plate members 46 and 41. As in the preceding form of thepresent invention, the holes 53 in the block as well as the cooperatingholes 48 in plates 46 and 4'! may be identified by different sets ofnumerals or letters or other indicia so that the operator will know howto make the proper setting and adjustment for the particular work pieceto be guided through the machine.

Another form of indexing and guiding mechanism or device embodying thepresent invention is shown in Figs. 6 and 9 to 14 inclusive. This formof the invention is adapted for use with a machine such as the machine Eand for purposes of convenience, is herein referred to as a remotecontrol type of guide and indexing mechanism, wherein the guide bar ormember is located at a point remote from the indexing mechanism, thelatter being conveniently located adjacent the sewing machine head andin easy reach of the operator who is seated in front of the machine. Asseen in Fig. 6, the guide member or bar is. located at the front edge atthe left hand end of the bed or table 4| and is designated as a whole atF, whereas the indexing mechanism is located adjacent the right handforward edge of the bed and is designated as a whole by the reference G.The details of the present form are best shown in Figs. 9 to 14inclusive. Considering first the indexing mechanism G, it will be seenthat an oblong base plate 55 is mounted upon the table 4| adjacent theright hand front edge of the table. The plate 55 has a limited range oflongitudinal adjustment on the table through the medium of slots 56through which the securing screws 51 pass. ly of this plate andextending lengthwise thereof is a second relatively narrow plate 58 uponwhich is mounted a third plate 59 of slightly greater width than theplate 58 so that its longitudinal side edges extend outwardly beyond theside edges of the plate 58 and provide, in effect, flanges 59a. which,as seen in Fig. 11, are spaced from the plate 55. The plates 55, 5B and59 are preferably secured together in flatwise relation by electricwelding or soldering orin any other convenient manner so that the threeplates provide a unitary structure capable of longitudinal adjustmentMounted approximately centralwhen the screws 51 are released. The plates58 and 59 are provided with a series of vertically alined holes oropenings 60 which, as shown, are arranged in staggered relation, seeparticularly Figs. 9 and 10, for a purpose to be described. The holes ofeach series are provided with lettering or other symbols (not shown). Atits right hand end the top plate 59 is provided with a stop or abutment6|, see Figs. 6 and 9. The indexing mechanism includes a relatively longmetal plate or strip 62 which is preferably the same width as the plate59 and is of sufficient length to extend from the indexing mechanismindicated as a whole at G to the guide member F. In other words, the bar62 extends between the indexing mechanism and the guide member and itsleft hand end is connected to and serves as a support for one end of theguide F, see particularly Figs. 12 and 14. A slidable block 63 ismounted upon the plate 62 adjacent its, right hand end and is located onsaid bar by means of an inverted machine screw 64 having its headcounter-sunk in the member 62. Attached to the top face of the plate 62to the right of and adjacent the block 63 is a pivoted indexing memberor block 65 which is pivotally and oscillatably connected to the slidingplate 62 by means of a removable sleeve nut and cooperating bolt member,shown as a whole at 66. The block 65 is adapted to describe an arehaving its axis at the center of the threaded sleeve 66 and carries onits top face a metal plate 61 fastened thereto by screws 68. The blockmember 65 and plate 61 have alined vertical holes extendingtherethrough. The slidable metal strip 62 is provided with an arcuateslot 69 (Fig, 9) which is in vertical alinement with said holes when theblock 65 is moved in its arcuate path about its pivot 66. The top faceof strip 62 adjacent the slot 69 is provided with symbols (not shown)which correspond to those on the top face of plate 59 adjacent the holes68. The purpose of the alined vertical holes and the arcuate slot is toreceive and support a removable index pin 16 whose lower end is adaptedto be inserted in any one of the holes or'openings 60 formed in the baseplates 58 and 59 (Fig. dependent upon-the angular position of the member65.

The block member 63 is maintainedin slidable relation with respect tothe base members 58 and 59 and is prevented from lateral movementrelative to these members, and from displacement during its longitudinaladjustment, by means of to permit easy and non-frictional slidingmovement of the plate 62, block 63 and indexing member 65 over theplate'59.

At a point approximatelymidway between the base plate and the work guideF in its position of Fig, 6, the bed 4| is provided with a metal plate15 and a spacing metal block or plate 16 which serve as supportingmeans, for the slidable member 62 to prevent it from sagging and thusfacilitate its easy movement. v

.In Figs. 12, 13 and 14, the'details of the trim panel guide member Fare shown. Adjacent the forward left hand end of the bed 4| there isprovided a metal base plate or support 86 which is attached to the bedby screws or the like BI.

Mounted upon the plate 80 adjacent its front and rear longitudinal edgesare metal strips or the slidable bar or strip 52 of the indexing mechanism overlies and is adapted to slide upon the plate 84. The plates 88,82 and 84 are preferably secured together, as a unit, by welding or insome other suitable manner to provide a fixed base.

The plate or strip 83 supports a somewhat thicker metal plate or strip85 which is somewhat longer than and projects inwardly beyond the plate83 and is also of somewhat greater width than the plate 83 so that itslongitudinal side edges overlap or extend beyond the corresponding sideedges of the member 83 to provide, in effect, horizontal flanges 85a fora purpose to be described. The'strips or plates 83 and 85 are preferablywelded together and to the base-plate 80 so as to provide a unitarystructure. As seen inFig. 6, the plate or member 84 is provided with astop or upstanding abutment 88 for the purpose of limiting the outwardmovement of the guide F.

The guide member F comprises, preferably, an oblong metal block 90having secured to the top thereof a metal plate 9| whose innerlongitudinal edge extends beyond the adjacent edge of the block 90 andis turned or flared upwardly at 92.

; The cover plate 9| ispreferably secured to theblock by means of screws93 and the block in turn is secured at its forward end to the outer endof the sliding plate 62 by means of metal screws 94 whose heads arecountersunk in the metal of the member 62. The forward end wall of. theblock 98 is provided with a reenforcing member or guide plate 95 havingat its lower edge an inturned flange 96. The plate is secured to the endface of the block by a screw .or screwsv 91. As seen in Fig. 14 theflange 88 engages under the flange 84a and .thus serves to hold -andguide the front end of the guide member in place so that it can travelwith the slidable bar 62 over the fixed bar or plate 84. The cover plate9| is attached to the block 90 adjacent its rear end by screws or bolts98 which terminate short of the fixed plate 85 so that the block canslide over and relative to said plate. The inner or rear end wall of theblock 90 is provided with a metal reenforcing and guiding plate 99similar to plate 95 and has at its lower edge an inturned flange I00.The

, plate 99 is secured to the block end wall by means of a screw orscrews IUI. As seenin. Fig. lithe flange I extends beneath and engagesthe under face of the flange 8511 thus serving to guide the inner orrear end of the guide member F as it is shifted by the sliding plate 62over the fixed plate 85. Thus, the front and rear ends of guide blockare held against lateral displacement and can slide freely over theirrespective supports 88 and 85.

The purpose of the flared inner longitudinal edge or lip 92 on the coverplate is to prevent the edge of a trim panel from becoming disengagedfrom the guide as it is being fed through the machine. The lip alsofacilitates the locating of the trim panel against the guide and thusspeeds up the work of the operator.

As in the case of the preceding forms of the present invention theindexing mechanism of the present embodiment of the invention isprovided with prelocated holes which may be designated by lettering,numerals or other indicia, as stated, to indicate to the operator andenable him to release the pin 54, shift the indexing blocks 63 and andmove the guide F to a given predetermined-position for guiding a givensize or style of trim panel or other-work piece through the machine, Itwill be understood that the plates 58 and- 59 can be provided with anydesired number of holes or openings 80 in any desired locations, toreceive the pin 10 so that any reasonable adjustment of the guide Fwithin a relatively wide range can be effected, thereby materiallyincreasing the range of sizes of trim panels or other work piecescapable of being stitched by the machine E, It will be understood thateach symbol or pair of symbols are intended for use with a given size orshape of work piece or trim panel. Thus, the operator is enabled to setthe guide accurately and promptly for the particular work piece to beoperated upon.

As mentioned above in connection with the form of Figs; 6 to 8inclusive, in the case of large trim panels I or other work pieces it ispossible for the operator to employ the remote control guide device Fand feed the panel through the machine to apply rows of stitching atcertain predetermined points, to shift the indexing mechanism and alsothe guide F so that additional rows of stitching in predeterminedparallel relation can be applied to the panel, and then, if necessary,to apply still other rows of stitching at different locations on thepanel to complete the job, by turning the panel around to bring theopposite edge thereof into engagement with the block 49 of the combinedindexing and guiding of Figs, 7 and 8 to complete the stitching of thepanel. g

I claim:

1. In a sewing machine having a sewing head and'a bed over which workpieces are adapted to be'guided toward the sewing head in apredetermined path, said head having means for applying a rowor rows" ofstitching to said work pieces, a guidemember'engageable with the edgesof the pieces for guiding the same in said path, means for adjusting theguide in a direction substantial- 1y normal to the path of travel of thework pieces, said adjusting means comprising an adjusting membersecured-to the guide and a supporting platen for the adjusting member,said platen having a plu-rality of longitudinally spaced transverselyvstaggered locating holes, the adjusting member having a locating pin'adjustable transversely thereof and cooperable with any one of saidlocating holes upon shifting the adjusting member longitudinally of theplaten into any one ofa pluralityof positions corresponding to thepositions of said holes.

2. In a sewing machine having a sewing head and a bed over which workpieces are adapted to be guided toward the sewing head in apredetermined path, said head having means for applying a row or rows ofstitching to said work pieces, a guide member engageable with the edgesof the pieces for guiding the same in said path, means for adjusting theguide transversely toward and away from the sewing head, said adjustingmeans comprising an adjusting member secured to the guide and asupporting platen for the adjusting member, said platen having aplurality of longitudinally spaced transversely staggered locatingholes, the adjusting member having a locating pin adjustabletransversely thereof and cooperable with any one of said locating holesupon shifting the adjusting member longitudinally of the platen into anyone of a plurality of positions corresponding to the positions of saidholes.

3. In a sewing machine having a sewing head and a bed over which workpieces are adapted to be guided toward the sewing head in apredetermined path, said head having means for applying a row or rows ofstitching to said work pieces, a guide member engageable with the edgesof the pieces for guiding the same in said path, means for adjusting theguide in a direction substantially normal to the path of travel of thework pieces, said adjusting means comprising an adjusting member securedto the guide and a supporting platen for the adjusting member, saidplaten having a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverselystaggered locating holes, the adjusting member having a locating pinadjustable transversely thereof and cooperable with any one of saidlocating holes upon shifting the adjusting member longitudinally of theplaten into any one of a plurality of positions corresponding to thepositions of said holes, and means for adjusting the platenlongitudinally.

4. In a sewing machine having a sewing head and a bed over which workpieces are adapted to be guided toward the sewing head in apredetermined path, said head having means for applying a row or rows ofstitching to said work pieces, a guide for said work pieces, anadjusting member secured to said guide, a platen mounted upon said bedand upon which said adjusting member is mounted for movementlongitudinally thereof, said platen having a series of longitudinallyspaced transversely staggered locating holes, and said adjusting memberhaving a locating pin adapted to be adjusted transversely to engage anyone of the locating holes upon shifting the adjusting memberlongitudinally of the platen.

5. In a sewing machine having a sewing head and a bed over which workpieces are adapted to be guided toward the sewing head in apredetermined path, said head having means for applying a row or rows ofstitching to said. work pieces, a guide member engageable with the edgesof the pieces for guiding the same in said path, an adjusting memberconnected to the guide member, a supporting platen for said adjustingmember extending substantially at right angles to said guide member,means for shifting said platen into a plurality of fixed adjustedpositions in a direction substantially normal to the path of travel ofsaid work pieces, said adjusting member being shiftable relativelytosaid platen to shift said guide member in a direction substantiallynormal to said path of travel, said platen having a series of staggeredlocating holes, and said guide member having a locating pin movable inan arcuate path for selectively engaging any one of said holes indifierent relative adjusted positions of said guide member and platen.

6. The combination of a sewing machine having a. bed over which workpieces are adapted to be moved and a sewing head mounted above the bedand adapted to apply a row or rows of stitching to said work pieces, aguide for said work pieces located adjacent said sewing machine head,means attached tosaid guide at points remote from each other andadjacent its opposite ends for adjusting it toward and away from thesewing machine head, a platen attached to said bed and cooperating withsaid guide adjusting means, said adjusting means and said platen havinga series of holes extending therethrough, and a movable locating pincarried by said adjusting means and adapted to be inserted incorrespondingly positioned holes in said platen whereby to maintain saidguide in predetermined adjusted positions to adapt it for use with workpieces of varying sizes and shapes.

7. The combination of a sewing machine having a bed over which workpieces are adapted to be moved and a sewing head mounted above the bedand adapted to apply a row or rows of stitching to said work pieces, aguide located on said bed at a point remote from said sewing head andadapted to be moved toward and away from said head, an indexing devicemounted upon the bed adjacent said sewing'head and remote from saidguide, said device including a pivoted block movable transversely ofsaid bed, and adjusting means for said guide connecting the guide withthe indexing device whereby the guide is remotely controlled to adjustits position relative to the machine head to accommodate work pieces ofdifferent sizes and shapes.

8. In a sewing machine having a sewing head and a bed over which workpieces are adapted to be guided toward the sewing head in apredetermined path, said head having means for applying a row or rows ofstitching to said Work pieces, an adjustable guide for said work pieces,a platen mounted upon said bed and upon which said guide is mounted formovement longitudinally thereof, said platen having a series oflongitudinally spaced transversely staggered locating holes, said guidehaving a series of transversely disposed holes formed therein andadapted to register with the locating holes formed in said platen indifferent adjusted positions of the guide relative to the platen, and alocating pin carried by said guide and insertable into regis teringholes in the guide and platen for maintaining the guide in a series ofpredetermined adjusted positions.

EUGENE CHARLES ZABLOCKI.

